Home to bungee jumping, naked rugby, zorbing and cave tubing
The people of New Zealand, affectionately known as Kiwis, are well-known for their adventurous spirit.
After all, this is the place where commercial bungee jumping-the insane act of tying your ankles to a post and leaping off a bridge into thin air-was born. New Zealand is also the home of naked rugby (really) and zorbing – an individual or group activity where you climb into a big plastic ball and bounce down a huge, bumpy hill.
New Zealand is a travel destination where the extreme sport of whitewater rafting is so popular that locals had to take it one step further and, in addition to battling rapids and waterfalls, you can also choose to head into local caves to go black water rafting (also known as cave tubing). This is the country where jet boating, glacier climbs and multi-day hikes through some of the most incredible forests and challenging trails on earth are a common occurrence, enjoyed by locals and travellers alike.
6 New Zealand adventures that will change your life
Adventure travel isn’t what it used to be – it’s better. Years ago, adventure travel meant forgoing life’s little luxuries in order to connect with nature or create a personal test of courage.
Hiking low to high-end in New Zealand. Now, you can hike (called tramping in New Zealand) all day through an isolated forest, testing your abilities on a challenging trail and be picked up in the early evening by a boat that takes you to your five-star accommodation. Upon arrival you find a comfortable room, a glass of excellent New Zealand wine and a hot bath waiting for you. Here you can take the night to relax and unwind with gourmet food and fine wines, and then you’re ready to catch the boat the next morning to hit the next part of the trail. Or, you can hike for days, staying in huts that have been specifically built on longer trails so that you don’t have to carry a tent in your backpack. In his book, Classic Hikes of the World, outdoor adventure writer Peter Potterfield highlights the famous Routeburn Track. Said Potterfield: “If you like adventure, there is no better place to find it than by hiking in New Zealand.”
Bungee jumping in New Zealand: Another approach to adventure for many is to bungee jump. The bungee was taken mainstream by Kiwis AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch with the first public location launching in June 1987 at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown. Since then, AJ Hackett has gone on to establish itself as a global brand when it comes to tossing yourself (safely) off a bridge. While the entire feeling when jumping is one of adrenaline, excitement and fear, the fact is that years of research has gone into making this popular adventure as safe as possible. However, knowing that it’s safe doesn’t stop your palms from sweating, your heart from pounding and your mind from asking: HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? Your brain might know that it’s safe, but look over the edge of the platform and your body experiences the full exhilaration, excitement and fear that only the anticipation of a free fall from hundreds of feet above the ground brings with it.
Glacier hiking or climbing in New Zealand is definitely action-packed adventure that takes your breath away – literally and figuratively. New Zealand offers half-day and full-day hikes on a glacier as well as heli-hikes and ice-climbing expeditions. The experience is incredible and, depending on the difficulty of the hike, it is also quite a physical adventure. Wearing specially designed ice hiking boots with cleats, you make your way up a pre-made trail carved into the ice. Stopping to catch your breath, you find yourself isolated from the sights and sounds you know and realize that you are surrounded by blue sky and glacier. Then, when you think it can’t be any more magnificent, you are led into an ice cave, where the blue of the sky is reflected within the ice – creating a tranquil retreat from reality. Said AJ Beaumont an experienced glacier guide who works at Franz Josef Glacier on New Zealand’s South Island, “To me this is the ultimate adventure. Hiking up a glacier to stand on top and look down over the world. I’m not sure which is more spectacular, the hike up or the view when you arrive.”
Zorbing: For those looking for something different, zorbing is another out there adventure created in New Zealand. This unique activity was invented by two Kiwis, Dwayne van der Sluis and Andrew Akers. Zorbing involves strapping yourself into an inflatable, transparent ball. Then you roll down hills going about 40 km an hour. You are, of course, completely protected, but the feeling of rolling down a hill, topsy turvey is certainly one that gets your energy pumping.
Jet boating is another adrenaline filled activity that is popular in New Zealand. Throughout both the North and South Islands, those looking for a bit of excitement can find it on the water. This thrilling adventure takes passengers on a great ride, skimming past rocky outcrops and sliding by bridges with only an inch to spare. The boat twists and turns, following the natural river curves and cliff faces at breathtaking speeds. And then, the big thrill as the jet spins completely around – at full speed. You don’t quite have time to catch your breath.
Naked rugby: For those who like their adventure a little more natural, there is naked rugby. This annual event is known to raise blood pressure and eyebrows and should probably be thought of as needing parental guidance on who should attend. Once a year, in the college town of Dunedin, two teams of seven players each bare all in a game of naked rugby. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but for some, it’s pretty exciting.
Whether you are looking for a little or a lot of adventure for your next trip, New Zealand is the place for you. No matter what your age, there is an activity that will get your heart pounding and your palms sweating. There is no shortage of action and excitement in New Zealand and if the past is any indication, there is a Kiwi hard at work right now cooking up another crazy adventure for you to experience when you arrive.
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